Locking mechanism



Oct. 17, 1939. M. c. LIGHTER ET AL LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mu mH- l l 0d. 17, 1939. M. c. LIGHTER ET AL LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 193

8 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 v IVENTORJ Mar-den C. lghler 4 Fred Zehmann ATTORNIY Oct. 17, 1939. M. c. LIGHTER ET AL 2,176,264

LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 t Q i 1 g s a a IN E IN VENTORS Oct. 17, 1939.

M. C. LIGHTER ET AL LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q W g & x @N .Q R \N NM & Q 2 P Q Q W a R R Q m? NW i--- u L a mH.|L MN QM R N mm Rh [NM/312F055 Mar-o'er; C. l/g/v er F750 Ze/vmanrr A TT ORNE Y Patented Oct. 17, 1939 PATENT OFFICE LOCKING MECHANISM Morden C. Lighter and Fred Lehmann,

, San Francisco, Calif.

Application September 17, 1938, Serial No. 230,447

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to locking devices or mechanisms of the type making use of bolts or latches for locking movable structures, such as swinging or sliding doors or like closures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a locking device of the above character which will perform the usual locking and unlocking functions, and which in addition will afford assurance against unauthorized unlocking operations. In this connection the present invention is characterized by the fact that a record member such as a strip of lead or like soft metal can be introduced into the device immediately prior to a locking operation. This record member is automatically gripped by a marking die, when the device is locked, audit is not released until an authorized locking operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of locking mechanism having features tending to offest the possibility of unauthorized locking or unlocking operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device particularly adapted for use with freight car doors, in place of conventional lock- 3 ing devices and seals, and which will afford utmost protection against unauthorized opening of the car.

Further objects 'of the invention will appear from the following description'in which the pre- 30 ferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, illustrating a locking device constructed in accordance with this invention, and applied to a freight car .door or like structure.

Fig. 2 is a plan view'of a typical stamping or marking die which can be utilized to apply marking to the record member of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating a record membersuch as is utilized in conjunction with our device for forming a permanent record.

\ Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the device, with the housing cover removed, and showing the working parts.

Fig. 5 is a-top plan view of the device as illustrated in Fig. 4, the cover or housing being in cross-section.

Fig. 6 likewise is a side elevational view of the device, with the housing or cover being in crosssection, but looking towards the opposite side from that illustrated. in Fig.4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along theline l--'| of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a key construction which can be utilized in conjunction with unlocking operations.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view looking towards the same side of the device as illustrated in Fig. 6, but showing certain parts in cross-section, and with the parts in unlocked position.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line l0l0 of Fig. 4.

Fig, 11 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line ll-ll of Fig. 9'.

The device as illustrated in the drawings consists of a body l0, which is shown mounted upon a sliding door II, and which carries a suitable housing I 2 for enclosing the working parts. The mounting is provided with an opening or passage l3, for receiving a bolt l4, and this opening extends through the end wall Illa. The bolt or bolt bar l4 is shown attached to the adjacent stationary structure l6, such as the side of a door frame. I

As will be presently explained, the working parts include latching means for releasably engaging the bolt bar It, together with parts under the control of a key, adapted to be manually actuated for an unlocking operation. Briefly, manual operation is carried out by the turning of knob I! '(Fig. l) and a key i8 is insertable in conjunction with the knob I'I, before the knob can be turned.

The latching mechanism for locking engagement with the bolt bar l4, includes a pair of latch levers 21. These latch levers have pivotal connections 22 with the upstanding walls 23 of the mounting in. Their forward ends 24 are adapted to engage within the opening or recess 26, in the bolt bar u.

As a means for moving the latch levers 2| to the locking position illustrated in Fig. 10, as the bolt bar I! is thrust into the passage 13, we provide a plunger 21 which is slidably mounted at the rear end of the passage I3. The rear end of plunger 21 is shaped to aiiord a cam surface 28, and this cam surface is adapted to engage the rear inturned end portions 29 of the latch levers 2|. Thus when plunger 21 is forced to its rearmost position by insertion of the bolt l4, cam surface 28 by engagement with the latch lever portions 29, causes the latch levers to move to the locking position illustrated in Fig. 10.

For the purpose of performing an unlocking operation, we provide additional cam means for engagement with the latching levers 2|, and this cam means is under the control of a secondary latch. Thus plunger 21 is attached to the forward end of a stem or rod 3|, and this rod is slidably carried by the stationary guide sleeve 32. Slidably disposed upon the sleeve 32, there is a cam'member 33, which is attached to stem 3| as by means of a pin 34. Cam member 33 is formed to afford a beveled cam surface 36,-which is adapted to engage the rear end portions of the latch levers 2| (see Fig. 10). It will be evident that when carnmember 33, is forced to the right as viewed in Fig.6 10, cam surface '36Qengages the rear ends of latch levers 2|, thus forcing these levers to dis-engaged position.

The upper part of cam member 33 is cut away to form a shoulder 38 (Figs. 7 and 9) and this shoulder isadapted to engage the secondary-latch lever39. This lever has a pivotal connection with the bracket 42, which in turn is secured to the main mounting I. Fig. 4-illustrates the sec ondary latch 39 engaged with shoulder 38. .When this latch is moved upwardly it permits cam member 33 to move forwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 9, which also corresponds to dis-engaged position of the latch levers 2|.

In order to transmit motion-from the knob IT to the secondary latch lever 39, we provide a motion transmitting lever 43, one end portion 44 of which is adapted to engage a pad 46, secured to the secondary latch 39. Knob is'mounted upon one end of a shaft 41 (Fig. 7) and this shaft is journaled to the mounting l0, and carries the cam members 49. These cam members are adapted to engage the fingers 49 on lever 43,

whereby when the shaft 41 is turned to rotate cam members 48 one revolution, lever 43 is rocked to lift secondary latch 39 and thus dis-engage thislatch with respect to the shoulder 38.

In order that the rotation of shaft 41 shall be properly under the control of a suitable key, that part of the mounting adjacent the knob I1 is provided with a passage for the retention of key l8. As an example of the type of key which can be-employed, we" have shown one formed of a flat strip of metal, having its outer end portion 52 bent" laterally to facilitate its introduction and removal. The knob I1 is shown provided -with a radial slot 53,'whereby it 'is necessary for the knob to be in one position to enable the key to be introduced or. removed. Various types of notchin'g or grooving can be used in order to avoid unauthorized operation. I

- trated in Fig. 9, overlying the strip 8|, when in- For example the upper surface of thekeyis shown provided with characteristically formedgrooves 54 and 56, and the upper side of the key pas-' sage 5| can be contoured in a complementary manner; as illustrated in Fig.9. Also the key is shown provided'with lateral grooving 56, made to match the complementary grooving provided on a member 51 (see Fig. 9) which is mounted sition in the lock.

In place of forming thev key passage 5| in a rigid part of the mounting, it can be formed in a block 62, which is yieldably retained .within slots 63 as by means of studs 64 and compression springs 55. Thus block 62 may move downwardly a limited amount against the urge of compression springs 65, in order to facilitate engagement DI the key |8 (see Fig. 7).

of the key and particularly to enable the rib 68 to snap into the unbroken annular groove 59.

In order to positively lock knob I1 and shaft 41 against rotation when the key I8 is removed, we provide a lever 66, having a pivotal connection 61 with the mounting III. This lever swings on an axis at right angles to the axis of shaft 41. It is provided with a pair of lugs 68 and 69 adapted to be accommodated in. the slots Hand 12, formed in the collar 6|. A tension spring .13 is attached to lever 66, to urge the same towards the collar 6|. Lever 66 is also provided with a finger I4, which extends to a position slightly below the collar 6|, to be engaged by the end portion 15 Thus when the key I8 is thrust to its operating position, lever 66 is swung to a dis-engaged position with the lugs 68 and 69 dis-engaged with respect to the collar For this purpose we have shown a leaf spring 16,

the free end of which carries a stud l1, engageable with the periphery of the collar 6|. proper point, the collar 6|is provided with a groove 18,within which stud "engages when the knob I1 is in the position illustrated'in Fig. 1.

In addition to the foregoing mechanism, we make use of a record member of deformable material, such as lead or lead alloy, which is retained within the device as long as the device is in locked condition, but which is released at the time of unlocking the device. The locking operation not only grips the record member, but

in addition applies a permanently indented or embossed marking upon the same as by means of a marking die. A record strip such as can be employed for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 3. It consists of a simple strip 8| formed of lead or other suitable deformable metal, the outer end portion 82 of which may be enlarged. Some suitable permanent marking is shown applied to portion 82, and this marking may include a serial number 83 and like characters. The mounting is provided with a passage 84 for accommodating,

the strip 8|, and this'passage can be arranged in relatively close relationship with respect to the knob I1, as illustrated in Fig. 1. As illusserted within passage 84, there is ajplunger '86,

i the lower end of which carries a marking die 81. v

The characters or indicia of this die may of course vary in practice, but to illustrate the utility of the present invention, a typical type of marking is illustrated in Fig. 2. In this instance the marking consists of various letters to indicate the transportation company or railroad responsible for the shipment of the goods, plus a number which may indicate the particular freight car or the shipping container being locked. A sleeve 88 is shown forming a guide for plunger 86, and this sleeve may be formed as a part of the mounting In. The upper end 89 of the plunger 86 engages a lever 9|, which has a pivotal conand extend laterally from the cam member 33 (Fi 10).

To form a motion transmitting connection between arm 9| and rock lever 94, a roller IN. is journalled to the rear endof rock lever, and is adapted to engage the upper surface of arm 9|. Also the arm 3| is shown connected to the rear end of rock lever 93 by means of links I02. To insure proper coordinated movements of rock lever 94 and lever 43, the latter lever is shown provided with a finger I03 which is adapted to engage the rear end of rock lever 34, during an unlocking operation. To return plunger 86 to the position shown in Fig. 9, spring 83 is provided between the upper collar of sleeve "and por-- tion 88 of plunger 86.

As a further precaution against unauthorized locking operations, we provide elements making necessary the use of a particular type of bolt bar. Thus the particular type of bolt bar I4 as. illustrated is provided with an opening-|06 extending.

laterally through the same. Above the'boltpassage I3 there are two members I01 and I08. which have pivotal connections I09 and III to the mounting I0. Member I01 is in the form. of a curved arm as illustrated, with an enlarged end portion I I2. Member'III8- is formed to provide two fingers H3 and I, the latter of which is adapted to engage the inner curved surface H6 of the member I01. Member I01 is also provided with a cam finger II8, adapted to engage the curved surface 9 on the member I08. When member I01 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction from the position illustrated inFig. 9, finger ||8 engages cam surface H3, thus causing counter-clockwise rotation of member I08.

This is what occurs upon insertion of the bolt bar I4. Counter-clockwise rotation of member I08 is accommodated by the slot or openings I08 in,

the bolt bar. Thus when the bolt bar is in locked position, finger 3 extends entirely through the slot I06, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Conversely, when the bolt bar is retracted after an unlocking operation, the movement which it imparts to the member I08 is accommodated by clockwise swinging of member I01, to position illustrated in Fig. 9. It will be evident that this arrangement makes it impossible to introduce a bolt bar into the passage I3, which is not provided with the lateral slot I06, to accommodate finger 3. Should one attempt to introduce a solid bolt bar into passage I3. portion H2 would in effect form a solid obstruction.

Operation of the complete device can now be outlined as follows:Before a locking opera tion the parts are as illustrated in Fig. 9, with secondary latch 39 dis-engaged with respect to the shoulder 38, with the knob I1 in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and the members I01 and I08 occupying the positions illustrated in Fig. 9. When the bolt bar I4 is thrust into the passage I3, either by movement of the bolt bar with respect to the main part of the device, or by movement of the device toward the bolt bar, the

end of the bolt bar engages plunger. 21, and movement of this plunger is imparted to. cam member 33, to cause release of latch levers 2|,

'whereby these levers lock with the bar I4 as illustrated in Fig. 10. At the same time the secondary latch 39 is looked upon shoulder 38, and rocking movement of lever 94 is transmitted.

through arm 9|, to causeplunger 86 to be forced downwardly, thus striking.the stamping die 81 upon the record member 8|. The record. member 8| is now firmly locked in place, and itcan not serted also underlies the stamping die 81.

'be removed without a complete unlocking operaposition, thus permitting rotation of knob I1 and shaft 41. The operator now turns knob I1 one revolution and during this turning movement lever 43 is rocked to lift the secondary latch 38, thus dis-engaging the cam member 33, and at the sametime rock lever 84 is moved-in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, to cause elevation of the plunger 86,- with release of the record member 8|. As previouslypointed out, suchmovement of the cam member 33 causes the latch levers 2| to be moved to dis-engaged position,;-thus releasing the lock bolt I4 for removal. Likewise upward movement of the plunger 86 releases thev record member 8|, so that this member-can be removed toform a permanent record.

A further protective feature of our locking mechanism is provided as shown in Fig. 9. We have. provided an insert passage through the outer portionof the housing I2 for accommodat- ,;ing the strip 8| When strip 8| is inserted in this passage it underlies key I8 and when fully in- The key I! which is used in conjunction with a lock embodying this arrangement bears on the lower side thereof some-suitable permanent marking which indicates the identity of the unlocking station.

Operation of this feature of the device is identical with the previous explanation except I that the strip 8 I-is inserted in passage I I5. It has been previously explained that rotation of knob I1 causes rotation of cam members 48, which are adapted to engage the upper surface of key I8. It will be recalled that key I8 is positioned in block 62. which is yieldably retained in slots 03. -Thus rotation of knob I1 causes cams 48 to engage the key member I8 and urge it downwardly forcing key I8 into contact with strip BI and causing the permanent marking on the lower side thereof to be impressed upon strip 8|. This arrangement thus makes possible the recording ogrgiotgii lockingand unlocking stations on a single S p It will be evident that the device as described I ing operation, and means for automatically making an impression upon said member by deformation of the same, said means serving to grip said member while the ;mechanism remains locked,

and meansautomatically releasing said member and making another impression thereupon upon carrying out an unlocking operation.

2. In combination with a locking device having bolt-engaging mechanism, a member movable for carrying out unlocking operations, a record member of deformable material adapted to be inserted into the device prior. to a locking operation, means for automatically making an impression upon said member by deformation of the same and for gripping said member while the device remains locked, and means for automatically releasing said record member and making another impression thereupon upon carryingout an unlocking operation by movement of said member.

3. In combination with a locking device including mechanism serving to perform an automatic locking operation and a member movable for carrying out unlocking operations, a member of deformable material adapted to be inserted into the device prior to a locking operation, means for automatically making an impression upon said member by deformation of the same, said means serving to retain and grip said member while the lock remains in locked condition, means for automatically releasing said last-named member upon carrying out an unlocking operation, and means for momentarily gripping said member of deformable material during said unlocking operation.

4. In a device of the character described, latching mechanism adapted to releasably engage a cooperating bolt, mechanism made operative by insertion of a key in said device for eflecting release of said latching mechanism, said last named means including a manual operating member rendered effective only upon insertion of said key, means forming a passage in said device for the reception of a member formed of deformable material, and means for automatically making an impression upon said last named member upon establishing locking relationship with a bolt, said last named means serving to grip said member while the latching mechanism remains locked with respect to the bolt, and means for efiecting release of said last-named means upon turning said manual operating member to effect release of said latching mechanism.

5. In locking means of the character described, a body formed to afford a passage for reception of a bolt, a pair of oppositely disposed latches adapted simultaneously to establish locking engagement with the bolt to prevent its withdrawal, and a secondary latching means adapted to be released to effect simultaneous release of said first-named latching means.

6. In a device of the character described, a body formed to afford a passage for reception of a bolt, a latch adapted to have locking engagement with said bolt, a member adapted to retain said latch released with respect to said bolt, said member being movable to disengaged position with respect to said latch by thrusting said bolt into said passage.

7. In a device of the character described, a body formed to afiord a passage for receiving a bolt or bar, a pivoted latch adapted to have locking engagement with the inner end of said bolt, a member movably carried by said body and movable from one position in which it retains said latch in disengaged position with respect to the bar to another position in which said latch is released to have locking engagement with'said bar, and means engaged by said bar when said bar is thrust into said passage for effecting movement of said member from said first to said second position.

8. In a device of the character described, a body formed to afford a passage for slidably receiving a bolt or bar, a latch pivotally carried by the body, and capable of moving from a released position to an engaged position to lock with the bar, a member movably carried by the body, and movable from a position in which it retains the latch in disengaged position, to a second position in which the latch is released to engage with the bar, a secondary latch adaptable to releasably engage said member, to'retain said member in disengaged position with respect to said latch, means engaged by the bar when the bar is thrust into said passage for moving said member to said last named'position, and engagement with said secondary'latch, and manually operated means for effecting release of said secondary latch.

9. In a device of the character described, a body formed to afford a passage for receiving a lock bar, a latch pivotally carried by the body, and movable between disengaged and engaged position, the latch when in engaged position serving to lock the bar'within said passage, a latch retaining memberslidably carried by the body, said member in one position of the same retaining said latch disengaged andwhen moved to a second position serving to release said latch to lock said bar, means actuated by thrusting the locked bar into said passage for moving said latch retaining member from engaged to released position, a secondary latch automatically engaged by said latch retainer and serving to retain said latch retaining member in its second position, controlled means for efi'ecting release of said secondary latch, and for forcing said latch retaining member from its second to its first position to efiect retraction of said first-namedv latch, means forming a strip-receiving passage in said body adapted to receive a strip of deformable material, and means actuated by movements of said latch retaining member from its first to its second position, for forcing an impression die against said strip with an interlocking engagement, whereby a distinctive impres-j sion is made upon said strip andsaid strip is locked by said die within said strip receiving passage until released by a manual unlocking operation.

10. In a device of the character described, a body formed to afford a passage to receive a lock bar,- a lock bar adapted to slidably fit within said passage and formed to afford a slot extending laterally through the same, and a pair of members pivotally carried by said mounting adjacent said passage, the first of said members having one portion thereof extending into said passage whereby insertion of said bar in said passage moves the same to an out-of-the-way position, the first member having portions cooperatively engaging the second member, whereby when the first member is moved between said two positions said second member is likewise moved between two operating positions, said second member having a portion extending into the slot of said bar for that position of the same corresponding to an out-of-the-way position of the first member;

11. In a lock of the character described, a body provided with a passage-way for introduction of a lock bar, said lock bar being provided with a slot extending laterally through the same, latching means carried by the body for releasably locking with respect to said bar, and means including a member normally extending into said slot when said bar is in its locked position, and serving to prevent introduction of a lock bar into said passage which is not provided with a lateral slot through the same.

12. In a device of the character described, latching mechanism adapted to releasably engage a cooperating bolt, mechanism made operative -by insertion of a key in said device for efiecting release of said latching mechanism, said last named means including a manual operating member, means forming a passage in said device for the reception of a member formed of deiormable material, and means for automatically making an impression upon said last named member upon establishing locking relationship with a bolt, said last named means serving to grip said member while the latching mechanism remains locked with respect to the bolt, means for efiecting release of said last named means upon turning said manual operating member to effect release of said latching mechanism and means for automatically making an impression upon said member formed of deformable material upon establishing release of the locking relationship with respect to the bolt.

13. A locking device comprising a housing having a passage therein, a latch member mounted on said housing to swing into and out of said passage, an operating member mounted in said housing to swing into-and out of said passage and to hold said latch member out of said passage when said operating member is in said passage, and a bar adapted to enter said passage 14. A locking device comprising a housing adapted to receive a locking bar, means in said housing to hold a record, means for marking said record upon the entry of said locking bar into said housing, and key controlled means for marking said record upon withdrawal of said locking bar from said housing.

MORDEN C. GH'IER. 

